Conflict Resolution Expert Reveals the Secrets to Real Connection | Dr. David Baum

Episode Summary

How do you turn conflict into connection?

In this episode of Fortunate Fishes, host Charlie Garcia speaks with Dr. David Baum—an internationally recognized conflict mediator and leadership consultant who has guided dialogues everywhere from Northern Ireland and Rwanda to Fortune 500 boardrooms.

David’s journey is extraordinary. He put himself through graduate school (achieving a PhD in Divinity and Social Psychology), performing magic, juggling, and fire-eating.

Today, he:
- Mediates high-stakes conflicts in war-torn regions
- Coaches executives at companies like Shell and Barclays
- Designs dialogues with Jane Goodall and the Dalai Lama’s team

With doctorates in psychology and divinity, David blends scholarship, humor, and storytelling to help people break through division and truly listen to one another.

🎥 In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why deeply rooted beliefs can fuel division—and how to move past them
- How to create openness in high-stakes conversations
- Why change sometimes happens in lightning flashes of grace
- What circus skills can teach us about leadership and listening

If you’ve ever wondered how experts navigate conflict, build trust, and lead with empathy, this conversation is for you.